40 Weird And Wonderful Ways To Recycle And Reuse Plastic Bags

Scraping ice off your car mirrors on a freezing winter morning is far from fun. But you can prevent them from frosting up altogether by placing plastic bags on them overnight when temperatures are due to plummet. Just remember to remove the bags in the morning so that you can use your mirrors safely!

When fruit is becoming ripe, it’s vulnerable to insects and critters. So, to prevent hungry mouths from claiming your cherished crops, simply cover the fruit with bags before they fall from the tree. And remember to check the sacks each day, as ripened produce can quickly go bad if left out.

A lovingly crafted bow can provide the perfect finishing touch to any gift. But a lot of store-bought decorations are made from single-use plastic that ends up in the trash soon after a present is unwrapped. To avoid unnecessary waste, then, simply repurpose a colorful plastic bag into an adornment by securing several strips of plastic in the middle and fluffing it into shape.

Instead of buying new decorations each Halloween, why not repurpose some used plastic bags into ghoulish designs? Ghosts are particularly easy to make and are super effective. Simply stuff an inflated balloon within a white bag to form a head and use a pen to decorate it with a spooky face. And when you’re done, secure your masterpiece outside your door to frighten the trick-or-treaters.

Even small plastic bags – such as chip packets – can be repurposed into something more useful, as this DIY coin purse hack proves. Simply take the bag and cut it into two equal rectangles. Sew three sides of the shapes together, attaching a zipper to the remaining opening. And you’ll be left with the perfect little pouch for storing all those small nicknacks.

You may think that the flimsiness of a plastic bag would render it useless as a shoehorn, but this is not the case. Placing one in the bottom of your pesky shoes will help your foot slide in much more easily. Once your soles are secured, simply pull the plastic out and place it to one side for next time. Sorted!

Cleaning up paint trays after every use can be a real drag. But you can save yourself time and effort just by placing a plastic bag over the receptacle before using it as normal. When you’ve finished, simply dispose of the dirty bag to leave a totally clean tray with no washing required. Easy, right?

Polishing wooden furniture can often be a messy and tricky job, but a plastic bag can help the task along. Simply place one over your hand to apply the polish. Not only will the plastic help to spread the agent more easily, but it’ll also keep your fingers clean, ensuring tidying up afterward isn’t a chore.

Making your own decorations can be a fun and inspiring way to transform your home or event. And plastic pom-poms are an easy way to enhance any space with relatively little effort. Just cut your bag into a continuous plastic strip and fashion it into shape the same way you would with regular yarns. It’s that simple!

Keeping plants happy on the move can be a tricky task. But a plastic bag can really help the process. All you need to do is wrap one around the roots as you transport your greenery. And in order to keep the plants extra safe, you can add some soil and water to the bag to prevent wilting. As a happy bonus, the plastic will also stop dirt from getting everywhere.

Leaking bottles or sippy cups can be the bane of a parent’s life. But this is where plastic bags come in handy. Placing one around the seam of the receptacle and tightening the lid over it helps to create a seal that will save you from unwanted liquid messes. You’ll wish you knew this hack way sooner.

With a little bit of crochet know-how, it’s relatively easy to transform a heap of unwanted plastic bags into a pretty awesome bed mat. Even better, the pad will be waterproof, meaning it’s suitable for outside use. And so it’ll make a great addition to your garden furniture or any camping trip.

Why simply carry a plastic bag by the handles when you can turn it into a makeshift rucksack? Just pop your arms through the loops and place the main body of the sack on your back. The weight of the contents should then be dispersed nicely between your shoulders, making heavier items easier to bear. Recycled chic, anyone?

Gaps around pipes and air conditioner units can let in pesky drafts. But old plastic bags can be used to easily plug household cracks and holes. This will keep the wind at bay and provide some protection from water. Careful: this hack will only work for a limited time, though, and so the bags will need switching every so often.

If your windshield wipers become frozen over winter, they can stop working, which isn’t ideal. The easiest way of preventing this from happening is by wrapping the blades in plastic bags whenever temperatures are expected to plummet. Just remember to take the bags off when you want to drive, and you should be good to go!

What better way to repurpose your unwanted bags than by turning them into a toy any baby would surely love? Simply stuff the unwanted plastic into a cute fabric design of your choice and sew it safely and securely within. The material will make an unmistakable crinkle noise, which will stimulate your little one’s senses.

Why waste money on expensive packing materials when plastic bags work just as well? Simply stuff envelopes, parcels and boxes with them in order to protect items during shipment. The good thing is that you can use as many or as few as you need while giving single-use bags another useful lease of life – and helping to save the planet, too!

Top travel tip: pack a few plastic bags with your gym gear or in your luggage when you go on vacation. They can be used to separate wet or sweaty clothing and swimwear from the rest of your stuff, preventing everything from becoming damp and smelly. Simply place offending items in a bag and tie securely, and you’re good to go. You can thank us later!

Gardeners, this one’s for you. This hack will stop your pants from getting ruined no matter how long you spend kneeling down outside. Just tie plastic bags around the knees to keep them clean and dry. The covers won’t provide much cushioning for your joints, but it should take a whole load of the mess out of weeding!

If you have fresh kicks you want to keep clean or rugs at home you’d like to protect, plastic bags double as the perfect shoe covers. Yep, just place them over your feet and secure them at the ankles. You can keep some by the door for rainy days or carry some in your purse in case of emergencies. And festivalgoers, this hack is perfect for you.

Toiletries are annoyingly prone to leaking when you’re traveling. So, to save the rest of your luggage from sticky spillages, simply place all of your lotions and potions into a plastic bag and secure it tightly. If anything does leak, the mess will be contained within the sack, keeping your clothes nice and clean. Result!

It’s easy to transform unwanted plastic bags into cute, colorful storage containers. Simply cut the sack into strips before ironing onto a piece of cardboard that you’ve wrapped around a paper cup. The plastic will melt together to form the shape of a pot, which can be used to store pens or other small items.

One of the easiest ways to recycle old plastic bags is by using them to protect surfaces around the home. Cut them up and tape them to counters and tabletops before engaging in messy tasks like crafts or cooking. When you’re done, simply remove the bags and dispose of them. Alternatively, you can wipe the plastic down with a damp cloth so you can use it again. No more mess!

Keep kids occupied by encouraging them to make their own upcycled jump rope using nothing but plastic bags. Simply tie strips of plastic end-to-end until you reach your desired length. Repeat the process a few times, then braid all the strands together to create a thicker, stronger rope.

Kites provide fun for all the family, and they’re even better when they keep plastic out of landfills. Make yours by forming a cross with two straws and tacking that to your chosen bag. After that, fold in each corner to create the traditional kite shape, add a string and fly to your heart’s content.

Rather than splashing out on new wrapping paper, save your prettiest plastic bags for the task. Patterned or frosted varieties make lovely-looking gifts. And you can even decorate the packaging further with glitter, ribbons or stamps. Plus, your friends will be majorly impressed by your no-waste approach to gifting!

If you don’t have bubble wrap to hand, try wrapping delicate items in plastic bags for storage or transportation. The material should provide adequate cushioning to protect goods against knocks, especially if you’re piling them on top of one another. Just make sure you use enough bags to provide a buffer.

Believe it or not, plastic bags make surprisingly comfortable stuffing. Simply fill a pillow case with as many scrunched up bags as will fit and see for yourself. And with the right kind of fabric, you can make a completely waterproof cushion, which would make the perfect garden accessory.

Rolling out dough can be a messy process. That’s because the stuff often sticks to your countertop and is a real pain to remove. Instead of using up all your flour next time, try lining your worktop with a plastic bag or two. And when you’re finished, you can even use the bags to store your freshly prepared dough. What’s not to love?

Did you know that plastic bags make the perfect pet bed filling? Not only are they surprisingly comfortable, but they’re also easy to wash. Unlike regular stuffing, they can be wiped or hosed down in order to keep them clean. Plus, they won’t absorb pet odors, helping to keep your home smelling fresh.

Once you’ve cracked the lid of a paint can, it can be hard to shut it properly again. But if the container isn’t airtight, its contents can spoil or dry out. Awesome décor hack alert: put a plastic bag over your open paint can before pounding the lid into place. This will seal the container and keep your emulsion longer.

Cleaning refrigerator or freezer shelves can be a real drag. So to save you from the arduous task simply cover them in plastic bags. When these become dirty, just remove them and wipe them clean or discard. You can do this as regularly as you wish, swapping bags for new as and when they’re needed.

Given all the comings and goings that take place in an entrance hall, it can be difficult to stay on top of mess. But keeping some plastic bags handy near the door can make life a little bit easier. That way, you’re ready to intercept any muddy shoes or soaking umbrellas – before it’s too late.

When unused shoes and bags are left lying around, they can easily lose their shape. So to keep them looking their best, stuff them with plastic bags before storing them away to help them hold their form. Just remember to remove the filler when you want to use them again...

As any cat owner will know, cleaning up a kitty’s litter box can be far from pleasant. So, instead of scooping out the contents and risking making a mess, use a plastic liner. You can buy specialist ones at the pet store, sure, but plastic bags work just as well. And they won’t break the bank!

Any photographer will tell you that when it comes to capturing that perfect shot, the right lighting is vital. But to create the perfect conditions, there’s no need to splash the cash on a fancy reflector. Instead, use a white plastic bag filled with air to easily boost brightness and lift shadows at a fraction of the cost.

What better way to inject a little bit of adventure into playtime than with the addition of a parachute for your toys? To make your own, simply cut a circle out of a plastic bag, use some string to attach your action figure of choice and let gravity work its magic! Hopefully, it should float softly to the ground in true paratrooper fashion.

It’s easy to craft plastic bags into something much more practical and pretty – like one of these adorable DIY baskets. They’re made by braiding strips of plastic together until you have one long yarn. You can then twist this into shape, first forming a base and then working upwards to make the sides, adding stitches as you go to hold its form.

To save your flowers and plants over winter, cover pots with plastic bags to prevent your greenery from freezing. Just place the sacks over the containers before temperatures drop, and they’ll act as little blankets. Top tip: it’s best to place a layer of cloth (like a sheet or rag) between the bag and your plant, as the plastic could damage it.

If you have trouble storing all your plastic bags, consider making one of these awesome DIY dispensers. To do so, gather all your old bags and fold them in half lengthways. Next, arrange them in a line with each bag’s handles overlapping the bottom of the bag beside it. Starting from the front, tightly roll the sacks up into a tube, and place them in a suitable container to dispense.

Hopefully, you’ll never want to throw out another plastic bag ever again. So while you’re on a roll with recycling, why not find some crafty ways to reuse other household items that usually go straight in the trash? Take tea bags. Just watch what happens when you dip one in a dirty dish – or apply one to an insect bite. Whether they’re black, green, white or Oolong, today’s used tea bags offer all sorts of surprisingly clever uses.

Applying a cool or refrigerated used tea bag on your eyes for ten to 15 minutes can reduce dark circles and puffiness. The magic ingredient is the tea’s tannin – which reduces swelling. For the best results, however, use green tea as it has a higher caffeine content and contains an anti-inflammatory called EGCG. And it’s those two compounds that help reduce the excess fluid that causes the issue in question.

When the weather heats up, it can be a relief to apply a facial mist throughout the day. Yet University of Illinois alumna Jessica recommends a DIY recipe of green tea and vitamin E on her College Fashion blog. She claims that not only is the concoction an instant freshener, but the EGCG and vitamin E can also help repair damage caused by sun exposure.

Tea is the most popular drink in the world after water. But other creatures — such as rats – aren’t so fond of the stuff. So place used tea bags around your kitchen to keep the room rodent free. The tea experts at website Your Tea Headquarters also suggest adding a few drops of peppermint oil to dry sachets to keep ants away.

Tea contains nutrients that can be beneficial to plants. In fact, there is appreciably more nitrogen found in tea leaves than in shop-bought plant fertilizers. What difference does that make? Well, nitrogen helps to encourage abundant growth. Plus, used tea leaves will help keep soil moist as well as discouraging weeds from sprouting around your flower beds.

There are many antioxidants in tea that have a therapeutic effect on the human body. And according to the scientific research body the Integrative Longevity Institute Of Virginia, bathing in tea is a more effective way of absorbing its nutrients than drinking it. After all, skin is the largest organ. So throwing a few old tea bags in a tub of water is potentially therapeutic and can boost the immune system.

The antioxidants found in green tea can help treat warts. Apparently, consuming two or three cups a day will slow down the effects of the human papillomavirus – which causes warts. Used tea bags can also be applied directly to the affected area. Do this three times a day – for ten to 15 minutes each go around – and after a while the wart will probably dry up and fall off.

If you’ve split a nail and need an urgent repair, you can use the fabric of a tea bag as a makeshift gauze. Simply cut a piece big enough to cover the affected area and stick it in place with a coating of clear nail polish. Apply a second coat and, when it’s dry, buff it out with a nail file. Apply base coat and polish as desired.

Believe it or not, tea bags can be handy to lift greasy smears from windows – thanks again to that magical tannin. How? Well, add a black tea bag to hot water and leave it to cool down completely. Some even recommend leaving it for several days. Then simply wipe — or spray — your windows with it and buff clean for a gleaming shine.

For a natural relief from an insect bite, try applying a used green tea bag. By allowing it to sit on the affected area, its compounds can help reduce the inflammation. And if the bag is applied cold, any itchiness will likely be soothed, too. So it might be handy to keep one in the fridge during warmer months.

Tannins are what give tea its bitter taste and dry-mouth feel. But they can also tenderize meat, making it easier to digest. Red wine also has a high tannin content and is more typically used in cooking. But for a cheaper or non-alcoholic alternative, why not throw some strong tea into the pot instead.

Tea’s astringent qualities have long been used to clean wood floors. First, steep a handful of them in a pot of water for ten minutes. Then transfer the tea to a bucket and allow to cool. Load your mop with the tea and fully wring it out, as you shouldn’t soak the floor. Mop the wood surface as usual, and the tea will easily lift dust and grime – leaving the floor gleaming.

The tannin found in tea can also soothe razor burns. So if your skin is irritated, make yourself a brew then place the used tea bag in the fridge for ten minutes or more. Then rub the cooled bag over the affected area for instant relief.

Bacteria thrives in the warmth and moisture generated by feet when you’re working hard. Often this can cause some unwelcome smelly footwear. But if you place a few unused tea bags in the offending shoes, they can soak up the dampness and stench. Any type of tea will work, too, so perhaps fruity or floral varieties would create a pleasant smell.

Anyone thinking they’re gifted with green fingers may want to consider a simple starting point: used tea bags. Since tea is a natural fertilizer, damp tea bags are the perfect environment for seedlings to take root. So simply cut a hole in the bag and pop a seed inside. Keep it moist and, once a plant sprouts, transfer it to a pot or flower bed.

Much like polishing wood floors, tea also works a treat on wooden furniture. You see, furniture polish is a one-size-fits-all cleaning solution – but not all wood is the same. So apply a wash of cooled tea to wooden surfaces then wipe clean. The tannin will lift any polish build-up and make the wood shine again.

There are other ways to work tea into your culinary repertoire beyond hot beverages. For instance, cooking quinoa or jasmine rice in a weak green tea adds an earthy depth of flavor. Black teas also bring out the natural flavors in barley and bulgar. Working green tea powder into homemade pasta and noodles can enhance Japanese dishes as well.

If your leather shoes are looking the worse for wear, you can restore their shine with a few used tea bags. That’s because the same astringent properties that remove grime from windows and wood floors work on leather, too. Simply rub tea bags over the surface, being careful to lift all the dirt, then buff out with a clean cloth.

While effective on razor burns, tannins can also help soothe sunburn. If you’ve been soaking up the rays for too long, then, you can find some relief from cold tea. Simply rub the affected area with black tea bags and slather with a strong, cool brew. Don’t rinse it off, as the technique is more effective the longer it has to work. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Strangely, if you want to achieve a sun-kissed look without exposure to the sun, tea can help you self-tan. Leave a handful of black tea bags to brew for around 20 minutes and then transfer the liquid to a spray bottle. It’s important for the tea to cool down before spraying it all over your body, of course. And the darker the brew, the more intense the color will be.

If you’ve suffered a mild burn in the kitchen, tea could help soothe the discomfort. For instance, if you’ve brushed a hand against a boiling pot or kettle, simply place a cold used tea bag on the affected area for instant relief. According to scientists at UCLA, its tannins can provide relief in minutes.

According to tips website One Good Thing, tea bags can be used to add freshness to your carpets. Remove the leaves from a dried, used tea bag and mix them with a handful of baking soda. Dust the mixture over your carpet and leave for 20 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly. Apparently, the compounds in the ingredients combine to leave your carpet fresh and dirt-free.

Quite often, chopping strong-smelling foods such as onions and garlic – or even handling potent fish – can leave your hands reeking. One way of eliminating the stench they leave behind is to wash them with tea. Once again, the tannin works to neutralize odors, removing the stubborn culinary smells from your hands, leaving them fresh.

As cat owners will know, litter trays are a near-constant source of unwelcome odors. But a simple and cheap solution is to scatter loose tea leaves among the litter and stir it together. It will banish any nasty smells as well as fighting bacteria, which is another bonus. For the best results, use green tea.

The technique for using tea bags to clean windows can also be applied to mirrors. So rustle up a brew and dampen a cloth with the tea solution to wipe down the reflective surface for a streak-free shine. The same trick can be used on any shiny surface in the home, too, with the bonus of easy cleaning of microwave and oven doors.

The color in black t-shirts is prone to fade over time. But instead of tossing the garments away, there’s a clever hack to restoring their hue. According to home and gardens website Dengarden, soaking the clothing in strong tea for ten minutes after a wash will restore some color. While the shirts won’t be like new, repeat soaks may further reduce the fade.

It can be a nightmare trying to remove tea stains from clothes. So it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to learn that the same liquid can be used to give old clothes new lives by dyeing them. Get creative and create patterns or bunch shirts together before dipping them for a tie-dye effect. The stronger the tea, the darker the colorization will be — and all without harmful chemicals.

Beauty routines that utilize steam treatments can soften the skin, improve circulation and increase the absorption of moisturizers. Popping tea into the mix can bring added nutrients to a facial, too. The technique has been used for hundreds of years with herb and floral mixes, of course. There are also studies that suggest white and green teas may be particularly beneficial to the skin.

Some people believe that green tea contains nutrients that can help treat acne. You see, green tea contains a compound called catechins. It’s an antioxidant that is effective at reducing inflammation. So while green tea isn’t thought to be a miracle cure for acne, studies indicate that the use of supplements can bring a noticeable improvement in appearance.

Tea is the star of ceremonial traditions in parts of the Far East. And, particularly in Taiwan, the craft of making tea pillows has emerged from these rituals. Instead of wasting tea leaves that accumulate from the traditional gongfu-style tea making ceremonies, then, practitioners dry them out and pop them into cloth bags. These tea pillows are thought to have numerous health benefits, including promoting better sleep and improved brain functions.

Sinks can be a breeding ground for lots of nasty bacteria. In fact, some scientists believe that the kitchen sink can be dirtier than the toilet bowl. The anti-bacterial properties of tea can help remove germs, though. Simply pop a few tea bags in a sink full of water for several hours then rinse. It’ll work as a toilet cleaner, too – just remember not to flush them.

The anti-bacterial properties in tea can be use to treat styes. Styes form when glands become blocked around the eye, forming something like a pimple. A handy home remedy for these is to pop a cooled, used tea bag on your eye and allow it to sit for a few minutes.

The tannin found in tea is handy for eliminating bad smells. You see, research has shown that it has an ability to neutralize the compounds that form odors. So why not place a few dry tea bags in drawers to freshen them up? Floral, fruity or herbal teas may even add a more pleasant aroma.

Gasoline and other accelerants can be dangerous when setting camp fires or log burners. So why not try a safer option? A dry tea bag could just as easily do the trick. Snip each end off the tea bag and empty the tea. Form it into a cylinder and set it alight. Using the leaves could create a pleasant aroma as well.

Tea treatments are a relatively new trend among hair-care experts. Black teas in particular contain nutrients that can potentially protect against hair loss. You see, it’s believed that its caffeine content blocks the hormone DHT that causes hair loss. Some also find that a tea rinse leaves their hair softer, stronger and shinier – as well as stimulating growth.

If your fridge is smelling funky and you’re all out of baking soda, there are other ways to combat the bad smell. Simply place a few used bags in a bowl on a shelf at the back of the refrigerator. The tea leaves will then soak up the nasty aroma. Replace them after a few days for maximum freshness.

Instead of forking out money for air fresheners, try using some tea bags instead. Bad smells can become intensified in humid environments, after all. But tea bags are adept at absorbing moisture, and hanging a few about the place will sort out the smells associated with cramped confines. There are a wide variety of scents to choose from, too.

A study conducted at New York’s Pace University showed that green tea was effective at fighting the bacteria that causes halitosis. So adding green tea to your dental routine could reduce the germs responsible for bad breath by around a third.

Green tea can maintain many aspects of oral health. While it’s important to keep a regular cleaning routine with brushing and flossing, adding tea to the mix could make toothpaste and mouthwash more effective. A Pace University study showed that this combination fights bacteria responsible for bleeding gums and tooth decay as well as other viruses.

The antioxidant EGCG found in green and white tea is effective at boosting cell turnover. This in turn makes an effective weapon to combat wrinkles. Chinese citizens even utilize tea as face masks. By combining powdered green tea with a white tea brew, its antioxidants have a plumping effect on the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

The tannin found in tea is a bit of a super-ingredient – as these astringent biomolecules help break down grease from fatty foods. So, after a meal, throw crockery, cutlery and cookware in a sink full of hot water. Then add some used tea bags and by morning all the grease will lift right off.